Color Suggestions for Kitchen Cabinet Makeover?

Q: Whoever created two-tone melamine cabinets should be bound and tortured. My new rental has a partially updated kitchen. They've replaced the counters with nice granite and the floor with a terracotta looking tile. They left the old and very ugly white/beech laminate cabinets and older black appliances (larger photos below). As a rental, replacement is not an option, but I am hoping for approval to paint. What colors would you use?

I was thinking either a dark gray, or ivory up top and gray on the bottom. I don't want black as I think it would make the room look heavy and dark (it is open to the living room), but would also like to minimize the way the black appliances are currently standing out. Suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Sent by Jenny

Editor: What colors do you suggest? Let Jenny know in the comments below...thanks!